My cousin Bob was most polite;
He led shortsighted Mrs.bond,
By accident, one winters night,
Into a village pond,
Her life perhaps he might have saved,
But how genteelly he behaved!
Each time she rose and waved to him
He smiled and bowed and doffed his hat;
Though he, although i cannot swim,
At least i can do that-
And when for the fourth time she sank
He stood bareheaded on the bank.
Be civil, then to young and old;
Especially to persons who
Possess a quantity of gold
Which they might leave to you.
The more they have it seems to me,
The more polite you ought to be.
Abigail Brant
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/politeness-3/
